The ZA Game based Learning (ZAG) Association
ZAG is a collaborative, South African community dedicated to strengthening and celebrating game‑based learning, gamification, and playful pedagogy across higher education. We believe that play is more than a strategy — it is a powerful driver of engagement, creativity, learning, and social connection. ZAG brings together educators, researchers, designers, and innovators who are passionate about transforming teaching and learning through meaningful, ethical, and context‑aware play.
Our Purpose:
ZAG exists to:
- Create a national community of practice where playful educators can connect, learn, and inspire one another.
- Advance research and scholarship in game‑based learning within the South African higher education landscape.
- Promote inclusive and equitable teaching practices through games, simulations, and immersive technologies.
- Develop and showcase local expertise, ensuring that African voices, contexts, and innovations are represented in global conversations on playful learning.
What We Do:
ZAG supports and showcases a wide range of activities, including:
- Workshops, talks, and hands‑on playful learning sessions
- Research collaborations and writing groups
- Game design sprints, playtests, and showcases
- Resource sharing, mentorship, and community support
- Advocacy for ethical, accessible, and innovative educational technologies
Join The Movement:
By joining ZAG, you become part of a dynamic, supportive network committed to reimagining education through play. We are building a future where learning is engaging, equitable, and joyfully transformative — and we’re excited to build it with you.
Let’s change the game, together.
To join our mailing list go to: https://redcap.core.wits.ac.za/redcap/surveys/?s=RLWPYMYNHJNPFMTD
Our Philosophy:
We believe:
- Everyone gets a turn to shine. ZAG is a collaborative space, not a hierarchical one.
- Play is powerful. Games invite curiosity, agency, problem‑solving, and joy — essential ingredients for learning.
- Local context matters. Game‑based learning must be meaningful, accessible, and relevant to the realities of South African educators and students.
- Community builds capacity. Together, we can grow a stronger, more sustainable ecosystem of playful pedagogy and research in the region.
Who We Are For:
ZAG welcomes:
- University educators and instructional/learning designers
- Researchers and postgraduate students
- Game designers, simulation specialists, and immersive tech creators
- Professionals interested in playful learning, digital equity, or educational innovation
- Anyone curious about how games can transform teaching and learning
Whether you’re new to game‑based learning or an experienced designer, ZAG is your community.